TV's Most Shocking Deaths

October 3, 2013 7:26 PM

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Even animated characters can die -- just ask Kenny on 'South Park.' 'The Simpsons'' next door neighbor Maude Flanders, died after being knocked off of a grandstand by a volley of t-shirts from a t-shirt gun.

Even animated characters can die -- just ask Kenny on 'South Park.' 'The Simpsons'' next door neighbor Maude Flanders, died after being knocked off of a grandstand by a volley of t-shirts from a t-shirt gun.

'American Horror Story''s first season eventually killed off the entire Harmon family (with the exception of one of the twins). However, it was particularly shocking to learn that Violet had died, in part because she herself had no idea she had been a ghost for several episodes. less

'American Horror Story''s first season eventually killed off the entire Harmon family (with the exception of one of the twins). However, it was particularly shocking to learn that Violet had died, in part ... more

Fans of 'Downton Abbey' were devastated when moments after meeting his newborn son, heir to the estate, Matthew Crawley, is in a car accident and dies. Some viewers claimed that his death, which occurred in the 'Downtown Abbey' Christmas episode, ruined the holiday for them. less

Fans of 'Downton Abbey' were devastated when moments after meeting his newborn son, heir to the estate, Matthew Crawley, is in a car accident and dies. Some viewers claimed that his death, which occurred in the ... more

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer''s most heart-breaking moment came unexpectedly at the end of a relatively silly episode, when Buffy comes home to find her mother Joyce dead on the couch. While Joyce had been battling cancer for most of the season, she seemed to be in remission, and no one, least of all our heroine, saw her death coming. less

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer''s most heart-breaking moment came unexpectedly at the end of a relatively silly episode, when Buffy comes home to find her mother Joyce dead on the couch. While Joyce had been ... more

On 'The Walking Dead,' it was fairly surprising when Rick killed his best friend and romantic rival, Shane, in what he thought was an act of self-defense. However, viewers were shocked when Rick's son Carl saved his father by shooting the zombified Shane moments later. less

On 'The Walking Dead,' it was fairly surprising when Rick killed his best friend and romantic rival, Shane, in what he thought was an act of self-defense. However, viewers were shocked when Rick's son Carl ... more

Photo: Gene Page

On 'The Walking Dead,' it was fairly surprising when Rick... Photo-5273605.71417 - NewsTimes

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'Roseanne''s husband Dan Connor suffers a heart attack at his daughter Darlene's wedding in the eighth season, but appears to have recovered in the ninth, only to leave Roseanne for another woman. However, in the final episode of the series, it's revealed that Dan actually died of that heart attack, and the final season had been written by Roseanne as a way to deal with his death. less

'Roseanne''s husband Dan Connor suffers a heart attack at his daughter Darlene's wedding in the eighth season, but appears to have recovered in the ninth, only to leave Roseanne for another woman. However, in ... more

Though he was the presumed hero of 'Game of Thrones,' Ned Stark didn't even make it out of the first season alive. In an effort to keep his head, Ned falsely confesses to trying to usurp the crown. Despite this, the horrid King Joffrey decides to execute Ned in front of his daughters anyway. less

Though he was the presumed hero of 'Game of Thrones,' Ned Stark didn't even make it out of the first season alive. In an effort to keep his head, Ned falsely confesses to trying to usurp the crown. Despite ... more

Though he was the presumed hero of 'Game of Thrones,' Ned... Photo-5273607.71417 - NewsTimes

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When Lane Pryce killed himself after an embezzlement scandal in the 5th season of 'Mad Men,' viewers were surprised and saddened.

When Lane Pryce killed himself after an embezzlement scandal in the 5th season of 'Mad Men,' viewers were surprised and saddened.

When Dexter killed the Trinity Killer in the 4th season finale of 'Dexter,' he thought his family was finally safe. However, he returned home to find that the Trinity Killer had managed to get to his wife Rita before Dexter could kill him. less

When Dexter killed the Trinity Killer in the 4th season finale of 'Dexter,' he thought his family was finally safe. However, he returned home to find that the Trinity Killer had managed to get to his wife Rita ... more

When Dexter killed the Trinity Killer in the 4th season finale of... Photo-5273611.71417 - NewsTimes

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'Lost' teased viewers with an unopened coffin over the course of 15 long episodes before revealing that John Locke lie inside. Locke was killed by Ben moments after Ben had convinced Locke to not kill himself.

'Lost' teased viewers with an unopened coffin over the course of 15 long episodes before revealing that John Locke lie inside. Locke was killed by Ben moments after Ben had convinced Locke to not kill himself.

It was bad enough that she had to give birth without the benefit of an epidural in a zombie-filled prison. But then Lori's labor went poorly and she had to have an emergency c-section which she knew would kill her, leaving her dependent on her young son Carl to kill her before she turned into a walker in one of the most upsetting episodes of 'The Walking Dead.' less

It was bad enough that she had to give birth without the benefit of an epidural in a zombie-filled prison. But then Lori's labor went poorly and she had to have an emergency c-section which she knew would kill ... more

Photo: Gene Page/AMC

It was bad enough that she had to give birth without the benefit of... Photo-5273614.71417 - NewsTimes

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'Seinfeld' took a dark turn when George Constanza's fiancée, Susan, died after licking toxic glue on her wedding invitation envelopes.

'Seinfeld' took a dark turn when George Constanza's fiancée, Susan, died after licking toxic glue on her wedding invitation envelopes.

'Seinfeld' took a dark turn when George Constanza's... Photo-5273615.71417 - NewsTimes

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Moments after having a conversation about their relationship with partner Leland McKenzie, 'L.A. Law's' detested attorney, Rosalind Shays, accidentally walks into an elevator shaft and plummets to her death in one of the most memorable and unexpected exits on television. less

Moments after having a conversation about their relationship with partner Leland McKenzie, 'L.A. Law's' detested attorney, Rosalind Shays, accidentally walks into an elevator shaft and plummets to her death in ... more

Moments after having a conversation about their relationship with... Photo-5273616.71417 - NewsTimes

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Even though Ned Starks' death taught viewers in the first season of 'Game of Thrones' that no character was ever safe, fans were still shocked and horrified when Robb Stark, his pregnant wife and his mother were all slaughtered without warning in the third season. less

Even though Ned Starks' death taught viewers in the first season of 'Game of Thrones' that no character was ever safe, fans were still shocked and horrified when Robb Stark, his pregnant wife and his mother ... more

Even though Ned Starks' death taught viewers in the first... Photo-5273617.71417 - NewsTimes